India will face Maldives in an international friendly on March 19, 2024, at Shillong’s Polo Ground. The match serves as preparation for Asian Cup qualifiers, highlighting Sunil Chhetri’s return to bolster India’s attack. India searches for their first win in over a year, while Maldives aims to leverage limited competitive action. The match begins at 7:00 PM IST, with live telecast on Star Sports and streaming on JioHotstar.
India and Maldives will clash in an international friendly match on March 19, 2024, at Shillong’s Polo Ground, serving as preparation for their upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. Maldives will face the Philippines, while India takes on Bangladesh. The match marks the return of veteran striker Sunil Chhetri, who recently came out of retirement to strengthen India’s attacking options under head coach Manolo Marquez.
India is eager to secure a win, having not tasted victory in over a year, with their last win against Kuwait in June 2024. Their performance under Marquez has been subpar, with matches resulting in draws against Mauritius, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and a significant loss to Syria. The team has struggled with scoring goals, amplifying the importance of Chhetri’s return, as Marquez confirmed his participation in the match either as a starter or from the bench.
Maldives, ranked 162nd globally, has only played two matches in the past 18 months, split between wins and losses against Bangladesh. This limited competitive exposure may hinder their performance as they prepare for the Asian Cup qualifiers. Coach Ali Suzain aims to leverage his players’ experience to achieve a positive result, with forward Ali Fasir posing a significant attacking threat after scoring in recent matches.
Historically, India has had the upper hand in this fixture, winning 14 out of 16 matches against Maldives. The last encounter ended in a 3-1 victory for India, although Maldives secured a notable win in the 2018 SAFF Championship final, showcasing their capability as rivals.
Sunil Chhetri, who retired in June 2024 after a distinguished career, has made his comeback to the national team for the friendly against Maldives. Chhetri’s recent form in the Indian Super League, where he netted 12 goals in 24 matches, has led to expectations of his substantial contribution. Coach Marquez reiterated that performance, not age, would determine player selection for the matches.
The probable starting lineup for India includes Vishal Kaith (GK), Subhasish Bose, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, and others, while Maldives may start with Hussain Shareef (GK), Hussain Sifaau, Samooh Ali, and their top scorer Ali Fasir.
The match will kick off at 7:00 PM IST on March 19, 2024, held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground) in Shillong. Fans in India can watch the live telecast on the Star Sports network, while the match will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app, providing accessible viewing options.
In summary, the upcoming friendly between India and Maldives is a crucial preparatory match ahead of significant Asian Cup qualifiers. India’s focus is on securing their first victory in over a year, further strengthened by the return of Sunil Chhetri. Conversely, Maldives aims to compensate for limited recent matches through the experience of their squad. The historical advantage lies with India, but the match poses a chance for Maldives to showcase their development. Viewers can catch the live action on designated television and streaming platforms.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
